Man headed to prison for probation violation

June 20, 2008|By Scott Waltman, swaltman@aberdeennews.com

A man who couldn't follow the terms of his probation is headed to prison. Jason Oas, 27, of Aberdeen, previously pleaded guilty to writing an insufficient funds check. According to court paperwork, he violated probation rules by absconding, failing to pay child support and being arrested for petty theft. Oas was sentenced to two years in state prison and give credit for 100 days served in county jail. His suspended imposition of sentence, which would have kept the check charge from his record, was revoked. Passing an insufficient funds check is a felony punishable by as much as two years in prison and a $4,000 fine. In other recent court news involving felonies:

Tyler Claymore, 19, of Aberdeen, was given a chance to keep a drug conviction from his record. He previously pleaded guilty to possession of meth- amphetamine. Claymore was sentenced to two years in probation and given credit for time served in jail. He must pay a $1,073 fine and attend aftercare. He was granted a suspended imposition of sentence.

Billy J. Mountain, 30, of Aberdeen, pleaded guilty to two felonies. Mountain has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault and, in each instance, an alternate count of petty theft. With alternate counts, a person can either plead or be found guilty to only one of the charges. Aggravated assault is a felony punishable by as much as 15 years and a $30,000 fine. Simple assault is a misdemeanor punishable by as much as a year in county jail and a $2,000 fine.

Jeremy W. Zephier, 25, of Aberdeen, was sentenced to 100 days in county jail after pleading guilty to a third drunken driving charge in a 10-year span. He must also pay a $750 fine, spend two years on probation and follow the terms of aftercare. Felony drunken driving is punishable by as much as two years in state prison and a $4,000 fine.

Jefferson J. Thurman, 31, of Aberdeen, admitted he violated the terms of his probation. He previously pleaded guilty to felony drunken driving, which is punishable by as much as two years in state prison and a $4,000 fine. According to court paperwork, Thurman broke probation rules by drinking alcohol. He will not be sentenced until a presentence investigation is finished.